episode_0038

38.

Blue Maeban Lecture Room.

Professor Berriol entered the classroom.

“You all worked hard on the assignment in the Northmunster snowfield. It was an unprecedentedly difficult assignment, but you all completed it safely. I’m proud of you all.”

After class, Professor Berriol called Chris aside.

“I submitted a report on the Yeti to the Royal Library. They said they wanted to include it as a thesis in the library.”

For Chris, it didn’t matter either way.

When Chris looked indifferent, Professor Berriol continued.

“The librarian would like to give you a magic item as a reward, Chris. Is there a specific item you would like? ”

Because it’s the type of item I want….

Nothing came to mind right away.

“Ah, so the report ended up in the Royal Library because of the Yeti? I wish there was some kind of magic item that could help the Yeti.”

“An item that would be helpful to Yeti… Then how about a magic ring that reduces mana consumption for ice attributes? I think I could ask the librarian for an item like that.”

“Good. Please do so.”

Professor Berriol said he would contact the librarian.

#

The next day.

On the way to the academy.

Chris ran into Riel on her way to school.

Chris was the first to say hello.

“Riel Youngae. Good morning.”

“Chris Youngsik. Good morning.”

After the incident in the Northmunster snowfields, Chris began to care about Riel.

On the outside, Riel pretended as if nothing had happened.

However, I was worried that Howard’s brutal actions would have caused him a lot of harm.

Whenever Chris met Riel, he would greet her first and ask how she was doing.

Chris was originally the type of person who liked to take good care of others.

So, without realizing it, he was trying to take care of Liel Youngae.

“I… . Do you have time this weekend?”

Riel spoke carefully.

“It’s the weekend? What’s going on?”

“That’s… My father really wants to meet Chris Youngsik. He’s asking me to invite him for dinner on the weekend.”

Riel said in a tone that indicated he was troubled.

“My father is me?”

“I told you that I might be a nuisance, but you insisted on inviting me anyway. I guess it’s impossible for you to make time on the weekend, right?”

Chris hesitated for a moment, but then nodded.

“If Count Hayes calls me, I would like to meet you once. ”

“Huh?! Really?”

Riel was surprised by the unexpected answer.

‘Count Hayes. He is one of the real powers that currently dominates the kingdom’s politics. There is no harm in opening up.’

Chris’s goal was to succeed the Delun Count family and become their lord.

If you were thinking of running the estate later, it would be helpful to become friendly with Count Alfred Hayes, a powerful noble in the center.

“Would that be okay for dinner this Saturday?”

“Yes. See you then.”

So, Chris decided to attend the Hayes family dinner.

one side,

There was a person hiding behind a tree and secretly watching the two people.

A girl with red twintail bun hair.

It was Vera Morgan.

‘Why did Chris and Riel suddenly become close?’

It was Vera who saved Chris’s life in the Blue Lightning Swamp last time.

Since then, her evaluation of Chris has skyrocketed.

She decided to re-evaluate Chris’s abilities as her fiancé.

For someone as strict as she was, this was a very lenient decision for Chris.

She never gave a second chance to a man she had once rejected as a husband candidate.

‘Riel must have despised and hated Chris, right? Why are they laughing so happily together?’

It was an incomprehensible sight.

Apparently, the two were on good terms before Chris went to the Northmunster snowfield to do his homework.

But after the assignment was finished, the two of them became close at a rapid pace.

‘What on earth happened in the Northmunster snowfields?’

Vera was in a state of confusion.

Chris was a man who wouldn’t take it even if it was given to him.

But who would have thought another woman would have feelings for Chris?

Vera didn’t realize it.

A confusing feeling because I’ve never felt it before.

The name of that emotion is jealousy.

#

weekend.

Chris took a carriage and headed to Hayes County.

‘It’s a strange feeling. Two months ago, I was a groom accompanying the young master to the Hayes estate, and I was struck by lightning… .’

Chris was lost in thought.

The sky was clear today.

It didn’t look like lightning was going to strike.

The carriage Chris was riding soon entered the Earldom of Hayes.

The Earldom of Hayes was bustling with activity.

There were many people walking around, and merchants from all over the country came to sell their goods.

The buildings looked stylish and newly built, unlike the slightly shabby-looking Delun Estate.

‘It’s not for nothing that the Earldom of Hayes is said to be the richest fiefdom in the kingdom.’

Chris was impressed.

Compared to the Hayes County, the Delun Estate was a remote rural area.

‘I want to develop our territory like this too.’

Chris naturally felt that way.

The Delun Estate was gradually declining, leaving behind its former glory.

The economy was in recession and beggars were on the rise.

At the same time, crop failures caused food shortages and monsters began to increase in number.

There are no young people left in the soldiers of Yeongji, only old people remain.

As an old soldier, he was unable to deal effectively with monsters.

Since the economy was poor and taxes were low, it was natural that the knights could not be paid high salaries.

So, we couldn’t invite young and capable knights.

In order to overcome the problems of the estate, Chris also devoted himself to studying estate management at the academy.

I read several books on economics and government and asked for advice from professors.

Chris was of low social status and had little education, but he was not stupid.

Chris studied hard and was able to figure out the problem of the spirit world.

‘In the end, the problems of the territory are not solved because there is no money. We need to promote commerce in the territory.’

Chris concluded that:

From Chris’s perspective, the Earldom of Hayes was a good case in point.

The Earldom of Hayes had developed into the foremost commercial city in the kingdom thanks to the encouragement of commerce by its lord, the Earl of Hayes.

When I came here in person, I saw that commerce was indeed developed and the people all seemed wealthy.

Chris hoped that by becoming close to Earl Hayes, he could learn how to govern the estate well.

#

Arrived at Count Hayes’ mansion.

When Chris arrived, Riel came out and greeted him.

“Chris Youngsik. Thanks for coming.”

Riel came out wearing a blue dress.

Even when she wore simple clothes every day at the Academy, she was praised as the Academy’s most beautiful woman.

But when she was at home, wearing a feminine dress and decked out, her beautiful and noble appearance resembled a lily.

“You are beautiful. Thank you for inviting me.”

Chris took Riel’s right hand and kissed it lightly, following the etiquette of a nobleman.

Riel’s face turned red.

“Father has been waiting for Chris Young-sik for a long time.”

Chris followed Riel into the reception room.

In the drawing room, the Countess and Countess Hayes were waiting for Chris.

“Are you Chris Youngsik? Thank you so much for saving my daughter.”

Count Hayes offered his hand.

“I just did what I had to do.”

The count was a man with an aristocratic face and a stubborn expression.

It was impressive to see him grow a nicely white moustache.

The countess resembled Riel.

A gentleness radiated from her slightly chubby face.

“No, you can’t just shut your mouth and let it go. This is a matter of honor for the Hayes family. Tell me what you want. Our family will help you with anything we can.”

Count Hayes spoke loudly.

“You’ll listen to anything?”

“Yes. If you want money, I’ll give you 20,000 gold. If you want jewels, I’ll send you 10 boxes of large diamonds. Silk and books would be nice, too. The Hayes Estate has the money to do that. ”

Count Hayes said proudly.

“What I want is a little different from what you said.”

“Different? What do you want? Is what I suggested lacking?”

The wealth offered by Count Hayes was almost equal to the annual income of a small estate.

Even the most greedy person wouldn’t be able to say that 20,000 gold coins was a small amount of money.

“What I want is not material things, but knowledge.”

“Knowledge?”

Count Hayes looked puzzled.

“I want to make my territory as wealthy as the Haze County. I want you to tell me how the Haze County made its territory wealthy.”

After hearing Chris’s words, Count Hayes looked at Chris for a moment with a puzzled look,

Soon he burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahahahaha. I thought you weren’t greedy, but you’re actually an ambitious guy. If I teach you my know-how, you’ll earn 2 million gold in 10 years, not 20,000.”

Chris nodded.

Because Count Hayes’ words were not completely nonsense.

“Okay. I can’t refuse your request to save Count Hayes’ most precious first daughter. It’s a big request, but I’ll grant your request.”

There was a look of amusement and wonder on Count Hayes’ face as he looked at Chris.

Chris seemed to have taken a liking to Count Hayes.